The nidovirus (serpentovirus) affecting snakes is a highly contagious RNA virus that causes severe, often fatal pneumonia in pythons and boas. Morelia ssp. can also contract the disease. In these cases, the course of the illness is usually chronic and associated with significant suffering.
Respiratory tract: The virus primarily affects the mucous membranes of the upper and lower respiratory tracts. Typical signs include loud breathing, viscous mucus in the mouth and throat, open-mouthed gaping, and severe respiratory distress.
Silent carriers: Some animals harbor the virus without showing symptoms immediately, but can still transmit the virus to other snakes.
Fatal outcome: Once the disease breaks out, many animals eventually die from suffocation or total exhaustion. This period can take on a long term.
Droplets and contact: Transmission is believed to occur via airborne routes (air/respiratory secretions), although the extent of this factor in a terrarium setting is not yet fully clear. More commonly, transmission occurs through direct contact between snakes or by passing a prey item, which was not eaten by a virus-positive snake, on to another snake.
Objects: Inadequately disinfected equipment, forceps, or hands can also spread the virus throughout a collection.
Quarantine: New or suspected animals must be kept strictly isolated in separate quarters.
Detection: The virus can be reliably detected in the laboratory using PCR analysis of an oropharyngeal swab (throat swab). I do test all of my carpets once a year.
Therapy: There are no medications that can fight or cure the virus in the body. Treatment is limited to pain relief, stress reduction, and the prevention of secondary infections.